The other day I was jumping around in Ashenvale (my favorite thing about World of Warcraft - why run when you can jump? It's so much more fun) and I came across a pair of characters belonging to a guild called Altoholics Anonymous. I waved and jumped at them in glee, and I thought about joining the guild right then and there - because I'm totally an altoholic.

(The term Alt, in case you don't play MMOGs, refers to your alternate character, as opposed to the main character whom you have presumably brought up to level 60 and outfitted with all kids of elite special gear).

Until recently, all my characters were alts. All nine of them. But I endured some ribbing and prodding from fellow players about that, so I chose the highest-leveled one - at the time level 16, just a few hours older than my human warlock at level 12 - and I decided to spend some quality time with her to get her ready to play with friends.

But I miss my alts and I still check in with them, usually every time I play.

One reason is virtual tourism: character races start in different areas, and I can explore places that would be too difficult or dangerous to get to otherwise. The first character I rolled was, predictably, on the Alliance side (and yes, she's a Night Elf Hunter, if you must know.) The Night Elf starting area is very pretty, with magnificent purple-painted trees and lush vegetation. But after a couple hours I was itching to see something new - and I rolled an Orc warrior. Her birthplace is the polar opposite of the elven homeland - arid and painted in shades of brown and gold. The orcish landscape has a harsh, savage beauty.

Another side of my desire to explore is not just environmental, but more internal. I love starting new characters because I want to see what they can all do. It delights me that my little gnome mage has the cutest giggle and pink pigtails, and the ability to transform an enemy creature into a sheep. So fun! And I was astonished at how much more easily my dwarven paladin clove through pesky wolves and goblins with her trusty axe than my dwarven hunter did. I can't wait to see what other abilities are available for them at higher levels!

I also get pulled into the exploration of role-playing. My Night Elf Hunter is a playful type - she's sociable and a bit mischievous. She likes grouping up, she'll always help out, and she doesn't care about treasure. My human warlock is much more haughty, and I enjoy playing her too - she likes to attire herself regally (I gave her the tailoring skill, naturally) and she responds to requests for help or group invites with a rather chilly "and what can you do for me?" attitude. She's standoffish and lofty, and maybe just a little bit evil. A femme fatale.

And finally there's the way you can explore other people. I'm not positive that this is better done with a variety of avatars, but it may be. My main is in a guild now, and although she's pretty insignificant, people are starting to know her. She gets whispers when she comes online. But when I play one of my alts, I'm a free agent and no one in the guild knows who I am. I've built (small, but growing) networks of social relationships with others, on other servers, in other factions.

I don't think I'm done with alts yet, either. I haven't exhausted the possible combinations; and I haven't built an undead character yet (they really creep me out). So all my level 60 friends who are raiding will just have to wait - I have a lot more of this game to play before I can think about joining them.